With top quarterback prospects like Caleb Williams not throwing at the NFL Combine, lesser-known guys like Joe Milton had a chance to put on a show. Milton, a Tennessee product, spent the 2023 season under center for the Volunteers. Taking over for a team that lost several key playmakers to the NFL Draft, Milton finished the season completing 64.7% of his passes for 2,814 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Despite the pedestrian passing numbers, Joe Milton has one of the best arms in the class – something he continuously demonstrated throughout the NFL Combine. The Tennessee product was easily the most impressive quarterback at the event, ripping a 62 MPH pass while also completing an absolute beauty of a throw down the sideline.
Joe Milton is having a day. pic.twitter.com/BxnK0x02mv
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 2, 2024
5 Teams That Could Draft Joe Milton After Dominant Combine Performance
Joe Milton looks like a phenomenal talent in shorts and a t-shirt, but there’s a reason the game is played with pads. While he has one of the strongest arms in the draft, he struggles to process defenses and his accuracy comes and goes. Additionally, he will be 24 by the time the league year starts, so he’s definitely on the older side.
All of this is one long way of saying that Joe Milton will not be a top-10 pick. Heading into the NFL Combine, most draft analysts expected him to go off the board in the fifth round. After his performance, he might be worthy of a fourth-round pick, but he’s nowhere close to being an elite prospect. Every single team in the league will have a chance to draft him, and these five could justify investing a Day 3 pick in the Tennessee product.
Best Team Fits
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints could use an upgrade at quarterback, but they’re not going to get it this year. Derek Carr’s contract ensures he’s not going anywhere, and head coach Dennis Allen doesn’t have the job security to use a first-round pick on a quarterback that won’t help the team win in 2024. With this in mind, New Orleans could use a Day 3 pick on a high-upside prospect like Joe Milton. Milton has the raw physical tools to be a great quarterback in this league, but he needs some time to develop his abilities. With Carr under center, Milton won’t have any pressure to play and, with good coaching, might stand a shot at taking the starting job in 2025 or 2026.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots will not select Joe Milton if they take a quarterback with the third-overall pick. However, with rumors spreading that the team is reportedly targeting Baker Mayfield in free agency, the Patriots draft plans could quickly change. Mayfield proved he can play like a franchise quarterback last year, and the Patriots could trade the third-overall pick for a small fortune. If this happens, they could still use a developmental quarterback with the potential to be a franchise cornerstone. New England got lucky with Tom Brady 24 years ago, and while Milton will never be that good, perhaps he can develop into a starting-caliber passer.
Baltimore Ravens
Two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson isn’t going anywhere, but he could use a better backup. Tyler Huntley is a free agent, and despite his Pro Bowl selection, the Utah product hasn’t set the world on fire when given a chance to run the offense. Joe Milton can do everything Huntley can, and he has a much stronger arm with a bigger build. Seeing as Jackson missed significant playing time in two of the past three seasons, the Ravens should think about upgrading the QB2 position.
Kansas City Chiefs
Nobody can do what Patrick Mahomes does, but Blaine Gabbert can’t do anything an NFL quarterback needs to do. As one of the least physically gifted passers in the league, Kansas City wouldn’t stand a chance if Gabbert had to fill in for a few games. Joe Milton might be rough around the edges, but he has the arm talent and running ability to fit this scheme. While the reads will be simplified, the Chiefs wouldn’t need to change their playbook too dramatically if Milton had to fill in for a game or two.
Seattle Seahawks
Geno Smith will be back for another season, but it’s clear that he’s nothing more than a bridge quarterback. While Smith is undoubtedly a starting-caliber quarterback, he’s not the type of guy who can carry a team on a deep playoff run. Joe Milton isn’t that type of quarterback at this point in his career, but he has the potential to get there. Seattle could easily justify a fourth- or fifth-round selection and spent the 2024 season seeing if Milton can develop into a franchise passer. If he can’t, then Seattle will have to find someone who can in 2025.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
